Mechanism for a supine motor vehicle seating assembly

ABSTRACT

A seat assembly forming a substantially horizontal plane for an exposed surface of each of a lower seat cushion and a seatback cushion of a seatback comprises a lifter mechanism for a rearward edge of the lower seat cushion. The lifter mechanism comprises a bracket pivotable about a transverse bar fixedly mounted to a frame assembly for a lower seat assembly, the bracket comprising a forward lever and a rearward lever; and a link pinned at a first end to the seatback and pinned at a second end to the rearward lever by a slot. The rearward edge of the lower seat cushion is initially raised by the forward lever upon the seatback pivoting to a predetermined reclined position and the rearward edge of the lower seat cushion is raised to the substantially horizontal plane upon the seatback pivoting to a fully reclined position.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and method forproviding a motor vehicle seating assembly adapted to assume a firstconfiguration to provide conventional support and restraint in theoperation of motor vehicle, and adapted to assume a second configurationto provide a relatively level supine platform upon which an occupantmight lie when the motor vehicle is not in operation and, moreparticularly, to a hip lift mechanism that lifts the rear edge of thelower seating structure to the level of the seatback when in the fullyreclined position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Motor vehicle seating assemblies provided in modern motor vehicles areprimarily designed to provide a support platform designed to accommodatea motor vehicle occupant in a sitting or reclined position, providingsupport for the motor vehicle occupant's back by which the motor vehicleoccupant can safely operate the motor vehicle or travel within the motorvehicle in a comfortable and pleasant manner. Another function of motorvehicle seating assemblies is to assist in restraining the occupant inthe event of an impact or rollover event. For example, in the case of afrontal impact event, the motor vehicle seating assembly is particularlyadapted to restrain the occupant within a prescribed range of positionsso that the motor vehicle's active and passive restraint systems canoperate appropriately.

In the case of the lower seating structure of the motor vehicle seatingassembly, the lower seating structure is typically downwardly inclinedin a rearward direction toward the bite line of the motor vehicleseating assembly to provide an ergonomic seating platform. Thisconfiguration also serves to assist in positioning the H-point of themotor vehicle occupant of the motor vehicle seating assembly, whereby inthe event of a frontal impact event, the forward momentum of the motorvehicle occupant generates a force against the lower seating assembly,which tends to retain the motor vehicle occupant in a position, wherethe active restraint system comprising the seatbelt assembly and thepassive restraint system comprising one or more airbags can be mosteffectively employed.

However, modern motor vehicle seating assemblies typically do notaddress the needs of motor vehicle occupants when the vehicle is parkedand the motor vehicle occupant wants to rest or sleep. Due to themechanisms widely in use to provide a seatback recline feature, theseatback may cause significant discomfort when it moves from adriving/use design position to a resting/sleeping position. Inparticular, existing reclining features tend to create a substantialvertical gap between the lower seating structure and the seatback withthe seatback in the fully reclined position. Likewise, the seatbackoften fails to provide sufficient upper back support when in the fullyreclined position. Features are needed to make the motor vehicleoccupant more comfortable and relaxed. Mechanisms that provide arelatively level supine platform and adequate upper back support aredesired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, a seating assembly fora motor vehicle has a lifter mechanism for an edge of a seat cushioncomprising a bracket pivotable about a transverse bar, the bracketcomprising a forward lever and a rearward lever, and a link pinned at afirst end to a seatback and pinned at a second end to the rearward levervia a slot, wherein the forward lever raises the edge upon the seatbackpivoting to a predetermined reclined position.

Embodiments of the first aspect of the invention can include any one ora combination of the following features:

-   -   an exposed surface on each of the seat cushion and the seatback        substantially occupying the same horizontally plane when the        seatback is in a fully reclined position;    -   an upper end and a lower end and the rearward lever of the        bracket comprises a pin received within the slot, wherein the        lower end of the slot being proximate with the pin corresponds        to an upright position of the seatback and wherein the upper end        of the slot being in initial contact with the pin corresponds to        the predetermined reclined position between the upright position        and the fully reclined position;    -   a seatback pivotable between the predetermined reclined position        and when in the fully reclined position urging the upper end of        the slot against the pin to rotate the bracket and raise the        forward lever and the edge of the seat cushion upwardly;    -   a seatback where the predetermined reclined position is about        55.5° relative a vertical plane;    -   a lower seating structure having a forward seat pan, a pair of        opposed lateral lower seat frame members having forward and        rearward ends attached to opposed lateral edges of the forward        seat pan at the forward ends of the opposed lateral lower seat        frame members, a pivot bar laterally extending between the        rearward ends of the lateral lower seat frame members, a lower        seat pivot mount disposed at the rearward end of the opposed        lateral lower seat frame members, a cushion suspension system        attached to the forward seat pan and adjustably supported        between the pair of opposed lateral lower seat frame members,        and a cushion assembly supported by the cushion suspension        system; and a seatback pivotable between an upright position and        a fully reclined position operably coupled with the lower        seating structure, the seatback further comprising a frame        having an upper transverse cross member, a lower transverse        cross member, and a pair of opposed lateral seatback frame        members extending between the upper and lower transverse        members, wherein each of the pair of opposed lateral seatback        frame members has a seatback pivot mount at a lower portion        thereof that is operably coupled with the lower seat pivot        mount; wherein the bracket of the lifter mechanism is operably        coupled with and pivotally disposed relative the transverse bar        and the lifter mechanism further comprises a frame attachment        bracket operably coupled with a lower portion of the frame of        the seatback and the link is pivotally attached to the frame        attachment bracket at the first end and is pivotally attached to        the rearward lever of the bracket at the second end, and the        link comprises the slot disposed proximate the second end        operably coupled with the rearward lever of the bracket, wherein        the forward lever of the bracket raises the cushion suspension        system upwardly upon the seatback pivoting to a predetermined        reclined position between the upright position and the fully        reclined position;    -   a forward lever that acting against a lower surface of the        cushion suspension system;    -   a cushion suspension system having a pair of lateral opposed        suspension frame members and a suspension cross member extending        between the pair of lateral opposed suspension frame members,        the pair of lateral opposed suspension frame members and the        suspension cross member of the cushion suspension system        comprising an upper surface in contact with the cushion assembly        and at least one of the pair of opposed suspension frame members        comprise the lower surface of the cushion suspension system;    -   a cushion suspension system having a plurality of resilient        members extending between the pair of lateral opposed suspension        frame members;    -   a forward portion of the plurality of resilient members        pivotally attached to the forward seat pan of the lower seating        structure;    -   a slot of the link having an upper end and a lower end and the        rearward lever of the bracket comprises a pin received within        the slot, wherein the lower end of the slot being proximate with        the pin corresponds to the upright position of the seatback and        wherein the upper end of the slot being in initial contact with        the pin corresponds to the predetermined reclined position        between the upright position and the fully reclined position;    -   a pair of lifter mechanisms disposed proximate one of the pair        of opposed lateral lower seat frame members;    -   forward levers of each of the pair of brackets laterally        disposed between the pair of opposed lateral lower seat frame        members and beneath one of the pair of lateral opposed        suspension frame members; and    -   forward lever of the hip lifter pivot bracket comprising a glide        surface slidably engaging a lower surface of the cushion        suspension system.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a seating assemblyfor a motor vehicle comprises a lower seating structure furthercomprising a forward seat pan, a pair of opposed lateral lower seatframe members having forward and rearward ends attached to opposedlateral edges of the forward seat pan at the forward ends of the opposedlateral lower seat frame members, a pivot bar laterally extendingbetween the rearward ends of the lateral lower seat frame members, alower seat pivot mount disposed at the rearward end of the opposedlateral lower seat frame members, a cushion suspension system attachedto the forward seat pan and adjustably supported between the pair ofopposed lateral lower seat frame members, and a cushion assemblysupported by the cushion suspension system. The seating structurefurther comprises a seatback pivotable between an upright position and afully reclined position operably coupled with the lower seatingstructure, the seatback further comprising a frame having an uppertransverse cross member, a lower transverse cross member, and a pair ofopposed lateral seatback frame members extending between the upper andlower transverse members, wherein each of the pair of opposed lateralseatback frame members has a seatback pivot mount at a lower portionthereof that is operably coupled with the lower seat pivot mount; and ahip lifter mechanism further comprising a hip lifter pivot bracketoperably coupled with and pivotally disposed relative the pivot bar, thehip lifter pivot bracket comprising a forward lever and a rearwardlever, a frame attachment bracket operably coupled with a lower portionof the frame of the seatback, and a link pivotally attached to the frameattachment bracket at a first end and pivotally attached to the rearwardlever of the hip lifter pivot bracket at a second end, the link having aslot proximate the second end operably coupled with the rearward leverof the hip lifter pivot bracket, wherein the forward lever of the hiplifter pivot bracket raises the cushion suspension system upwardly uponthe seatback pivoting to a predetermined reclined position between theupright position and the fully reclined position.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a seatassembly forming a substantially horizontal plane for an exposed surfaceof each of a lower seat cushion and a seatback cushion of a seatbackcomprises a lifter mechanism for a rearward edge of the lower seatcushion. The lifter mechanism comprises a bracket pivotable about atransverse bar fixedly mounted to a frame assembly for a lower seatassembly, the bracket comprising a forward lever and a rearward lever;and a link pinned at a first end to the seatback and pinned at a secondend to the rearward lever by a slot. The rearward edge of the lower seatcushion is initially raised by the forward lever upon the seatbackpivoting to a predetermined reclined position and the rearward edge ofthe lower seat cushion is raised to the substantially horizontal planeupon the seatback pivoting to a fully reclined position.

These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present inventionwill be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art uponstudying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front side perspective view of an automotive seat assemblyinstalled in a motor vehicle in accordance with the present disclosure,wherein the seatback of the front seating assembly is in the uprightposition;

FIG. 2 is a front side perspective view of the automotive seat assemblyof FIG. 1, wherein the seatback of the front seating assembly is in thefully reclined position;

FIG. 3A is a side view of the hip lifter mechanism of the automotiveseat assembly of FIG. 1, wherein the seatback is in the upright positionand the upper back support is in its stowed position;

FIG. 3B is a side schematic view of the hip lifter mechanism of theautomotive seat assembly of FIG. 1, wherein the seatback is in theupright position;

FIG. 4 is side view of the hip lifter mechanism of the automotive seatassembly of FIG. 1, wherein the seatback is in the fully reclinedposition and the upper back support is in its fully raised position;

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of the hip lifter mechanism of theautomotive seat assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the hip lifter mechanism of theautomotive seat assembly of FIG. 1, wherein the seatback is in the fullyreclined position;

FIG. 6A is a side schematic view of the hip lifter mechanism of theautomotive seat assembly of FIG. 1, wherein the seatback is in theupright position;

FIG. 6B is a side schematic view of the hip lifter mechanism of theautomotive seat assembly of FIG. 1, wherein the seatback is in the firstpredetermined position;

FIG. 6C is a side schematic view of the hip lifter mechanism with thelink removed and the upper back support in the stowed position of theautomotive seat assembly of FIG. 1, wherein the seatback is in the fullyreclined position;

FIG. 6D is a schematic side view of the hip lifter mechanism with thelink installed and the upper back support in the fully raised positionof the automotive seat assembly of FIG. 1, wherein the seatback is inthe fully reclined position;

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of the hip lifter mechanism with thelink installed and the upper back support of the automotive seatassembly in the stowed position of FIG. 1, wherein the seatback is inthe fully reclined position;

FIG. 8 is a partial front view of the hip lifter mechanism and cushionsuspension system of the automotive seat assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 side perspective view of seating assembly of the automotive seatassembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of the automotive seat assembly ofFIG. 1 with the upper back support in the fully raised position;

FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of the automotive seat assembly ofFIG. 1 with the upper back support in the fully raised position;

FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of the tubular member andsubstantially rigid planar base of the upper back support of theautomotive seat assembly of FIG. 1 with the upper back support in thestowed position;

FIG. 13 is a side perspective view of the ratchet latch of the upperback support of the automotive seat assembly of FIG. 1 with the upperback support in the stowed position;

FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of the tubular member andsubstantially rigid planar base of the upper back support of theautomotive seat assembly of FIG. 1 with the upper back support in thefully raised position; and

FIG. 15 is a side perspective view of the ratchet latch of the upperback support of the automotive seat assembly of FIG. 1 with the upperback support in the fully raised position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,”“left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “interior,”“exterior,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention asoriented in FIG. 1. However, it is to be understood that the inventionmay assume various alternative orientations, except where expresslyspecified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specificdevices and processes illustrated in the attached drawing, and describedin the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of theinventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specificdimensions and other physical characteristics relating to theembodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting,unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, reference numeral 10 generally designates avehicle seating assembly for use in a vehicle cabin 8 of a motor vehicle6. The motor vehicle seating assembly 10 includes a lower seatingstructure 12 pivotably coupled to a raised seatback 14. As shown inFIGS. 1-2, the motor vehicle seating assembly 10 is generally configuredfor use in a variety of motor vehicles 6 in a front driver seat, a frontpassenger seat, or a rear seat of the motor vehicle 6 and generallyincludes the aforementioned lower seating structure 12 and raisedseatback 14. A head restraint 26 is also mounted to the top of theraised seatback 14. The motor vehicle seating assembly 10 may beconfigured to be mounted on a support surface, such as a floor pan 28 ofthe vehicle 6. A seat track assembly 30 may be coupled to the lowerseating structure 12 to facilitate fore and aft positioning of the motorvehicle seating assembly 10, as is known. The motor vehicle seatingassembly 10 is generally designed for the comfort of a motor vehicleoccupant, as well as to accommodate and protect the motor vehicleoccupant during a collision event.

As best shown in FIG. 7, the lower seating structure 12 includes aforward seat pan 34 and a pair of opposed lateral lower seat framemembers 36, 38 having forward and rearward ends 40, 42 attached toopposed lateral edges 44, 46 of the forward seat pan 34 at the forwardends 40 of the opposed lateral lower seat frame members 36, 38. A pivotbar 48 extends laterally between and is fixedly attached to the rearwardends 42 of the opposed lateral lower seat frame members 36, 38.Preferably, the forward seat pan 34 and frame members 36, 38 arefabricated from relatively low-weight and high-strength metalcomponents, such as high-strength steel or aluminum. A lower seat pivotmount 50 is mounted at the rearward end 42 of the opposed lateral lowerseat frame members 36, 38.

A cushion suspension system 52 is attached to the forward seat pan 34and adjustably supported between the pair of opposed lateral lower seatframe members 36, 38. The cushion suspension system 52 includes a pairof lateral opposed suspension frame members 54, 56 and a suspensioncross member 58 extending between the pair of lateral opposed suspensionframe members 54, 56. The pair of lateral opposed suspension framemembers 54, 56 and the suspension cross member 58 of the cushionsuspension system 52 form an upper surface 60 in contact with andsupporting a cushion foam and trim assembly 62. At least one of the pairof opposed suspension frame members 54, 56 form a lower surface 100 ofthe cushion suspension system 52, as further discussed below. Thecushion suspension system 52 further comprises a plurality of resilientmembers 64, such as bent spring wires, extending between the pair oflateral opposed suspension frame members 54, 56 that provide furthersupport for the cushion foam and trim assembly 62. As shown in FIGS. 5,7, and 8, a forward portion 66 of the plurality of resilient members 64are pivotally attached to the forward seat pan 34 of the lower seatingstructure 12 to allow the cushion suspension system 52 to be raised andlowered, as described below.

As noted above, the seatback 14 is pivotable between an upright positionand a fully reclined position and is operably coupled with the lowerseating structure 12. The seatback 14 includes a frame 68 having anupper transverse cross member 70, a lower transverse cross member 72,and a pair of opposed lateral seatback frame members 74, 76 verticallyextending between the upper and lower transverse cross members 70, 72.Each of the pair of opposed lateral seatback frame members 74, 76 has aseatback pivot mount 78 at a lower portion thereof that is operablycoupled with the lower seat pivot mount 50. Preferably, the seatbackpivot mounts 78 on each of the pair of opposed lateral seatback framemembers 74, 76 comprise a circular recess 80, and the lower seat pivotmount 50 mounted on each of the pair of opposed lateral lower seat framemembers 36, 38 comprises a circular projection 82 received within thecircular recess 80.

The motor vehicle seating assembly 10 further includes a hip liftermechanism 90, which comprises a pair of hip lifter pivot brackets 92operably coupled with and pivotally disposed relative the pivot bar 48.Each of the hip lifter pivot brackets 92 is preferably formed in aU-shape that fits over and is supported by the pivot bar 48 and issimilarly fabricated from a lightweight yet strong metallic material.Each of the pair of hip lifter pivot brackets 92 is preferably disposedproximate one of the pair of opposed lateral lower seat frame members36, 38. As shown in FIGS. 6-6D, each of the hip lifter pivot brackets 92comprises a forward lever 94 and a rearward lever 96. The forward lever94 of each of the pair of hip lifter pivot brackets 92 is likewisepreferably laterally disposed between the pair of opposed lateral lowerseat frame members 36, 38 and beneath one of the pair of lateral opposedsuspension frame members 54, 56. So disposed, the forward lever 94 ofthe hip lifter pivot brackets 92 comprises a glide surface 98 thatslidably engages and, upon further rotation, lifts a lower surface 100of the cushion suspension system 52. It is contemplated that the glidesurface 98 may be coated with polytetrofluoride to provide lowerfriction and reduce wear.

A pair of frame attachment brackets 102 is operably coupled withpreferably the lower portions 84 of the opposed lateral seatback framemembers 74, 76, as shown in FIGS. 6-6D. Alternatively, the frameattachment brackets 102 may be attached to the lower transverse crossmember 72 of the frame 68 of the seatback 14, both preferably bywelding. A link 104 is pivotally attached or pinned to each of the frameattachment brackets 102 at a first end 106 and pivotally attached orpinned to the rearward lever 96 of the hip lifter pivot brackets 92 at asecond end 108. The pivotable attachment of the first end 106 of thelink 104 to the frame attachment bracket 102 is preferably accomplishedby a pin 110 secured within an opening 112, 114 in each of the first end106 of the link 104 and the frame attachment bracket 102, respectively,allowing relative pivotal motion. As shown in FIGS. 6-6D, the link 104is provided with a slot 116 proximate the second end 108 that isoperably coupled with the rearward lever 96 of the hip lifter pivotbracket 92. The slot 116 of the link 104 has an upper end 118 and alower end 120. The rearward lever 96 of the hip lifter pivot bracket 92also includes a pin 122 that is received within the slot 116.

In operation, each of the forward levers 94 acts against the lowersurface 100 of the cushion suspension system 52. That is, when theseatback 14 is in the upright position, the lower end 120 of the slot116 is proximate the pin 122 provided in the rearward lever 96, as shownin FIG. 6A. Thus, when the lower end 120 of the slot 116 is proximatewith the pin 122, the seatback 14 position corresponds to the uprightposition of the seatback 14. Similarly, as the seatback 14 is reclined,the upper end 118 of the slot 116 is brought into initial contact withthe pin 122 provided in the rearward lever 96, where the seatback 14position corresponds to a predetermined reclined position between theupright position and the fully reclined position, as shown in FIG. 6B.Preferably, the predetermined reclined position of the seatback 14 isabout 55.5° relative a vertical plane. Further rotation of seatback 14toward the fully reclined position further displaces the rearward lever96 of the hip lifter pivot bracket 92 downward, which, in turn, rotatesthe hip lifter pivot bracket 92 and raises the forward lever 94, whichthen urges upwardly upon the lower surface 100 of the cushion suspensionsystem 52. This action raises the cushion suspension system 52 upwardlyupon the seatback pivoting beyond the predetermined reclined positionbetween the upright position and the fully reclined position.

As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, each of the lower seating structure 12and the seatback 14 have an exposed surface 124, 126, respectively.Preferably, the exposed surface 124 comprises a locally flexible/stretchtrim material relative to the cushion foam and trim assembly 62 that maybe moved in order to keep the trim material and foam of the cushion foamand trim assembly 62 in tension to maintain a flat surface and eliminatewrinkling. In particular, a rear edge 128 of the cushion foam and trimassembly 62 of the lower seating structure 12 is raised by moving theseatback 14 to the fully reclined position, such that the cushionsuspension system 52 raises the exposed surface 124 of the seat cushionfoam and trim assembly 62 to substantially occupy the same horizontalplane as that of the exposed surface 126 of the seatback 14 when theseatback 14 is in a fully reclined position. This benefit might be mostappreciated by comparing the relative exposed surfaces 124, 126 in FIG.6C, where the link 104 has been removed and the hip lifter mechanism 90thus disabled, with the relative exposed surfaces 124, 126 shown in FIG.6D, where the link 104 is installed and the exposed surfaces 124, 126occupy substantially the same plane.

Preferably, the hip lifter mechanism 90 raises the cushion suspensionsystem 52 and cushion foam and trim assembly 62 a distance H between 45to 70 mm between the upright position and the fully reclined position ofthe seatback 14 to eliminate pressure on the lumbar and lifting theoccupant's tailbone and hips, as shown in FIG. 9. The result is asubstantially planar and continuous surface from the exposed surfaces124, 126 of the cushion foam and trim assembly 62 and seatback 14,respectively. Preferably, the fully reclined position of the seatback 14is reached at about 85° from vertical, extending from a front edge 130of the lower seating structure 12 to an upper portion 132 of theseatback 14.

In addition, the slotted linkage for the hip lifter mechanism 90provides a passive system that automatically raises the height of thelower seating structure cushion foam and trim assembly 62 once theseatback 14 reaches a desired sleeper initiation angle, here preferably55.5° from vertical, and achieves maximum lift of the cushion foam andtrim assembly 62 once the seatback 14 reaches the maximum sleeper angle,here preferably 85° from vertical. Additional benefits of the hip liftermechanism 90 disclosed herein is that the forward levers 94 are disposedbetween the cushion suspension system 52 and the lower seat frame sidemembers 36, 38 so as not to affect the seating assembly H-point orcomfort when the seatback 14 of the seating assembly 10 is not in thefully reclined position or sleeper mode. Further, the maximum liftheight of the rear edge 128 of the cushion foam and trim assembly 62 ofthe lower seating structure 12 can be readily modified and tuned tospecific applications by relatively simple changes to the systemgeometry, such as the shape and length of the slot 116.

Further, the hip lifter mechanism 90 represents a relatively simplemechanical system which can be manually actuated and does not require amotor, although a power actuated vehicle seating assembly can likewisebeneficially employ the disclosed hip lifter mechanism 90. In addition,existing seatback 14 recline latch controls 134 and associated mechanismcan be readily employed to maintain the seatback 14 in the desiredreclined position between the upright position and the fully reclinedposition, while simultaneously providing the lift function for the rearedge 128 of the lower seating structure cushion foam and trim assembly62 beyond a predetermined reclined position. Finally, the disclosed hiplifter mechanism 90 is readily adaptable as a retrofit device toexisting motor vehicle seating assemblies 10.

Thus, to the extent that a motor vehicle occupant desires a supineposition to rest when the motor vehicle 6 is not in operation, theaforementioned disclosure provides just such a platform upon which themotor vehicle occupant may rest. In accordance with the aforementioneddisclosure, it is now possible to provide a more comfortable sleepingseat surface by raising the height of the rear edge 128 of the cushionfoam and trim assembly 62 of the lower seating structure 12 to make theoverall surface more level and the transition from the cushion foam andtrim assembly 62 to the seatback 14 less noticeable.

Also, additional features can be added to the motor vehicle seatingassembly 10 to provide an overall surface that is more level. Inparticular, the motor vehicle seating assembly 10 described above canfurther include an upper back support 140 that can be raised above amain body 142 of the seatback 14 within a range of a plurality ofpositions, between a stowed position and a fully raised position, wherea moveable cushion 144 is attached to and disposed above the upper backsupport 140 to form an exposed surface 162.

The upper back support 140 preferably includes a tubular member 146pivotally attached at a first end 148 to one of the pair of opposedlateral seatback frame members 74, 76 and pivotally attached at a secondend 150 to the other of the pair of opposed lateral seatback framemembers 74, 76. A substantially rigid planar base 152 is attached to acentral portion 154 of the tubular member 146, as shown in FIGS. 12 and14. The central portion 154 of the tubular member 146 preferably forms asubstantially U-shaped and upwardly extending configuration within aplane of the seatback 14 when in the stowed position, as shown in FIG.12. The substantially rigid planar base 152 is preferably attached tothe central portion 154 of the tubular member 146 by fasteners arrangedin regular intervals, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 14. Preferably, thesubstantially rigid planar base 152 is shaped in a “paddle”-likeconfiguration and further comprises a raised support 156 proximate anupper edge 158 of the substantially rigid planar base 152 and disposedbeneath the movable cushion 144. The substantially rigid planar base 152of the upper back support 140 is preferably fabricated from a resilientplastic material, such as polypropylene, that provides sufficientsupport. The raised support 156 may be fabricated from foam padding orsome other resilient material and is provided to ensure the desiredheight profile, as described herein.

The movable cushion 144 disposed above the upper back support 140 formsa movable exposed surface 162, which may be similarly fabricated as atrim 164 and foam pad 166 assembly to provide a finished look, where thetrim 164 is fabricated locally with a resilient, stretchable, orflexible fabric material that allows the upper back support 140 toreadily move relative the seatback 14. The use of a resilient trimmaterial 164 disposed about the foam pad 166 further maintains a flatsurface and eliminates wrinkling between the stowed position and thefully raised position.

Preferably, a ratchet latch 170 pivotally couples the first end 148 ofthe tubular member 146 to the inboard lateral frame member 74. Theratchet latch 170 comprises a ratchet gear 172 and ratchet pawl 174operably coupled with the ratchet gear 172, as is known in the art. Thesecond end 150 of the tubular member 146 is pivotally attached to theother lateral seatback frame member 76 by a simple pivot 176. Theratchet latch 170 operably couples the first end 148 of the tubularmember 146 to the lateral seatback frame member 74 to restrain thetubular member 146 in one of a plurality of positions between the stowedposition and the fully raised position. Preferably, displacement of theupper back support 140 beyond the fully raised position actuates theratchet pawl 174 to an over-travel condition to return the ratchet latch170 and the upper back support 140 to the stowed position, as is knownin the art. That is, when the upper back support 140 is rotated beyondthe last latch position corresponding to the fully raised position, theupper back support 140 is returned to its design position byarticulating full-forward and employing a spring 190 to pull the upperback support 140 back to its design and fully stowed position.

Preferably, as shown in FIGS. 10-12 and 14, the upper back support 140is disposed centrally between a first and second lateral edge 180, 182of the seatback 14 and below the head restraint 26. Thus disposed, theupper back support 140 is designed to provide support between theshoulder blades of the motor vehicle occupant by use of a tubular member146 to reduce muscle stress and increase neck blood flow. Similarly, asshown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the seatback 14 further includes the headrestraint 26, which itself forms an exposed surface 178. As noted above,the movable cushion disposed above the upper back support 140 forms themovable exposed surface 162. With the upper back support 140 in thefully raised position, the exposed surfaces 162, 178 of the upper backsupport 140 and head restraint 26, respectively, form a substantiallyplanar surface, as seen in FIG. 4.

The upper back support 140 is preferably controlled manually by pullingthe upper back support 140 forward relative the seatback 14. In oneembodiment, the upper back support 140 is moved from the stowed positionto one of the plurality of positions by simply grasping the movablecushion 144 of the upper back support 140 and manually pulling the upperback support 140 forward to its desired raised position. Alternatively,the upper back support 140 may also include a pull strap 184 by whichthe upper back support 140 is pulled forward relative the seatback 14.

In its stowed position, the upper back support 140 is preferably about0° relative the plane of the seatback 14. Conversely, in the fullyraised position, the upper back support 140 is preferably about 15°relative the plane of the seatback 14 the distance D between 7 and 10cm, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 14. The ratchet latch 170, described above,provides a plurality of positions of the upper back support 140, andpreferably provides a discrete position in intervals of 1.5° between thestowed position and the fully raised position.

Thus, as noted above and as further described herein, the exposedsurface 178 of the head restraint 26 and the movable exposed surface 162of the upper back support 140 is capable of forming a substantiallycontinuous plane when the upper back support surface is in the raisedposition. The upper back support 140 accordingly provides many of thedesirable features noted above relative the hip lifter mechanism 90.

In addition, a lower back support 186 may be disposed below the upperback support 140, and the lower back support 186 may be operativelycoupled with the upper back support 140. Thus, when the upper backsupport 140 is raised from its stowed position, the lower back support186 may be also raised relative a plane of the seatback 14 to provide asmooth and level transition between an exposed surface 188 of the lowerback support 186 and the exposed surface 162 of the upper back support140, as shown in FIG. 10.

It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art thatconstruction of the present disclosure and other components is notlimited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of thedisclosure disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety ofmaterials, unless described otherwise herein.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of itsforms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining oftwo components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to oneanother. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature.Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical ormechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrallyformed as a single unitary body with one another or with the twocomponents. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removableor releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “operably connected” generallymeans that one component functions with respect to another component,even if there are other components located between the first and secondcomponent, and the term “operable” defines a functional relationshipbetween components.

It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement ofthe elements of the present disclosure as shown in the exemplaryembodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of thepresent innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure,those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readilyappreciate that, unless otherwise described, many modifications arepossible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes andproportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mountingarrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) withoutmaterially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of thesubject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formedmay be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple partsmay be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may bereversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structuresand/or members or connector or other elements of the system may bevaried, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided betweenthe elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/orassemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide varietyof materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of awide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, allsuch modifications are intended to be included within the scope of thepresent innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, andomissions may be made in the design, operating positions, andarrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments withoutdeparting from the spirit of the present innovations.

It will be understood that any described processes or steps withindescribed processes may be combined with other disclosed processes orsteps to form structures within the scope of the present disclosure. Theexemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrativepurposes and are not to be construed as limiting.

It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can bemade on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing fromthe concepts of the present invention, and further it is to beunderstood that such concepts are intended to be covered by thefollowing claims unless these claims by their language expressly stateotherwise.

We claim:
 1. A seating assembly comprising a lifter mechanism for anedge of a seat cushion, the lifter mechanism comprising a bracketpivotable about a transverse bar, the bracket comprising a forward leverand a rearward lever, and a link pinned at a first end to a seatback andpinned at a second end to the rearward lever via a slot, wherein theforward lever raises the edge upon the seatback pivoting to apredetermined reclined position; wherein the slot has an upper end and alower end and the rearward lever of the bracket comprises a pin receivedwithin the slot, wherein the lower end of the slot being proximate withthe pin corresponds to an upright position of the seatback and whereinthe upper end of the slot being in initial contact with the pincorresponds to the predetermined reclined position between an uprightposition and a fully reclined position; and wherein each of the seatcushion and the seatback have an exposed surface and wherein the exposedsurfaces of each of the seat cushion and the seatback substantiallyoccupying the same horizontal plane when the seatback is in the fullyreclined position.
 2. The seating assembly of claim 1, wherein pivotingthe seatback between the predetermined reclined position and the fullyreclined position urges the upper end of the slot against the pin torotate the bracket and raise the forward lever and the edge of the seatcushion upwardly.
 3. The seating assembly of claim 1, wherein thepredetermined reclined position is about 55.5° relative a verticalplane.